Combined automobile trunk and gas tank



March 8, 1938.

N. WHITE COMBINED AUTOMOBILE TRUNK AND GAS TANK Filed Feb. l1, 1936 Patented Mar. 8, 1938 UNiTED STATES l 2,110,411 COMBINED AUTOMOBILE TRUNK ANDy TANK My invention relates generally to automotive equipment and more particularly to atru'nk-like structure that is positioned on the rear portion of a motor vehicle and which contains a tank for holding a reserve supply of gasoline, there being chambers formed in the end portions of the trunk structure which serve as sto-rage spaces for tools, eXtra equipment, luggage and like articles used by the motorist.

A further object of my invention is, to provide a combination trunk and reserve fuel tank that may be built into the body of the car by the manufacturer so as to conform to the shape and contour of the body or the trunk may be produced as a separate unit and mounted upon suitable supporting means at the rear of the car body and the reserve storage tank being connected to the tank that forms a part of the car equipment.

A further object of my invention is, to provide a combination trunk and reserve fuel -tank having a rear panel that may be swung outwardly and downwardly into a horizontal position so as to function as a table from which food may be served or as a support for tools and equipment While making minor repairs or adjustments and further, to provide a construction wherein the rear cover or panel may be locked in closed position by the hinged cover that closes the top of the trunk structure.

With the foregoing and other objects in view my invention consists in certain novel-'features of construction and arrangements of parts that will be hereinafter more fully described and claimed and illustrated in the accompanying drawing in which:

Fig. l is a front elevational view of my improved trunk and reserve fuel tank.

Fig. 2 is an end elevational view.

Fig. 3 is a vertical longitudinal section taken on the une 3-3 of Fig. 2.

Fig. 4 is a cross section taken on the line 4-4 of Fig. 1.

Fig. 5 is a cross section taken on the line 5 5 of Fig. 1.

Referring by numerals to the accompanying drawing which illustrates a preferred embodiment of my invention, I I0 designate the end walls of a substantially rectangular container, II the bottom wall, I2 the rear wall and I3 the front 0 wall. These walls are preferably constructed of sheet metal and adapted to close the top of this structure is a lid or cover I4, preferably formed of sheet metal, the rear edge of which is connected to the upper edge of the rear wall I2 by a hinge or hinges I5.

PATENTV orrlcE GAS Secured to the front of the cover I4, adjacent the ends thereof, are handles I6 that are manually engaged when the lid or cover is swung upwardly and rearwardly into open position.

A front panel I1 occupies a position a slight distance in front of and'parallel with the front wall I3 of the container and projecting rearwardly from the bottom and ends/of this panel are short horizontally disposed flanges such as I8 which when the panel is closed, bear directly against the front face ofthe front wall I3.

A hinge or hinges IS connect the bottom one of the flanges i8 with the lower front edge of the body of the container.

Secured on the outer face of the upper portion of panel I'I, are sockets 2U that receive depending portions of the handles I6 so as to hold the cover I4 and panel I1 firmly in position when the same are closed.

Mounted on the front edge of lid or cover I4, is a hinged lock 2i)a by means of which the lid or cover and hinged panel I'I may be locked to each other when closed. y

Mounted on the central portion of the outer face of front wall I3, is a mirror 2|, which may be utilized for dressing purposes by a person seated to the rear of the structure when the panel I'I is lowered and likewise when the said person is observing cars or persons that may approach the equipped vehicle from the rear.

Secured within the intermediate portion of the trunk structure, are vertically disposed partitions 22 that occupy positions parallel with the end walls ID and the chamber 23 between these partitions serves as a storage space for gasoline.

Leading from the bottom of this storage space to the gasoline tank T of the vehicle to which the trunk is applied, is a conduit 24, preferably a metal tube so that the reserve or eXtra supply of gasoline may pass freely by gravity into tank T.

The top of the compartment 23 is closed by a4 Xed cover plate 25r the same being provided with a filling nipple 26 and the latter being normally closed by a readily removable cap 21.

A small portion 28 of the lid or cover I4 above the filling nipple and cap is separately formed and connected to the lid or cover by a hinge 3D. This hinged member 28 when open gives ready access to the filling nipple 26 and cap 21 and when said member 28 is closed and before the lid or cover I4 is closed, said member 28 is secured on the inside by suitable fastening devices or hooks 3l that are pivotally mounted on the lid or cover and which engage eyes or keepers that depend from member 28.

Y dishes, toilet articlesfautomobile accessories or Positioned between the end walls I and partitions 2,2, and lying parallel with the bottom II, are horizontally disposed partitions 32 and the chambers 33 above `these partitions provide storage space for clothing, food or other articles used by the motorists.

Those portions of the front wall I3 below the partitions 32 and between the end walls I0 ,and

partitions 22 are cut away for the accommodation of drawers 34, whichflatter accommodate tools,

the like.

Folding braces 35 or exible members such as chains are arranged between the ends of panel I1 and the ends of front wall I3 and which braces or members limit the downward swinging `move-r ment of panel I1 to maintain the same in a horizontal position when open (see dotted lines Fig.

When the panel I1 and lid I4 are closed and fastened by-means of the lock 20, it is impossible for unauthorized persons to obtain access to the interior of the combined trunk and tank and prior tothe closing of the lid I4 hooks or latches 3I may be manipulated `s`o.as to secure the hinged memberA l28 in closed position, thus preventing unauthorized access tothe gasoline storage tank.

When `lid or coverl41is unlocked and swung upwardly and rearwardly and panel I1 is swung downwardas shown by dotted lines in Fig. 5,

access may be had to the storage spaces 33 and the drawers 34 may be withdrawn.

When the lid or cover is'open, the cap 21 may be removed from the nipple 26 to permit gasoline manufacture and very effective in performing the functions `for which it is intended.

It willbe understood that minor changes in the size, form, and construction of the various y parts of my improved combined automobile trunk and gas tank may be made and substituted for those hereinshown and described without departingl from the spirit of the invention, the

scope of which is set forth in the appended claim. I claim as my invention: l

l In 4`an automobile trunk including a hinged cover therefor andan auxiliary'gasolinetank integrally carried withinsaid trunk; a iilling opening in the topv of saidtank,r a, removable cap for said opening, said cover being formed' to provide 'anvopening therein directly above said lling opening of ksaid tank, Aa, movable panel normally closing said opening in said cover, andl means on the inside of said cover and pa.nelz;for` vsecuring the latter ina closed position, said meansV being inaccessible from the outside of saidcover.

Vf NELSON Wm'msz.A 

